Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!-Chapter 1244: Identity Represents Responsibility

Zhou Changyi didn’t like Du Si. Du Si used to be a nobody until he recently rose to some prominence, all because the Du family had a daughter serving as a concubine in the Crown Prince’s harem. Although she wasn’t a concubine of high rank, she had a son, making her another existence with a son besides Consort Lau.

The Du family was not a prominent clan, and Du Si’s father had been stuck at the fourth rank for many years, due to a lack of ability. Lady Du, suppressed by Consort Lau, struggled for survival between the Crown Princess Consort and Consort Lau. Previously, the Du family dared not flaunt themselves for fear of being annihilated.

But now things were different. The Crown Prince was about to ascend to the throne. Even a concubine like Lady Du, trapped in a tight spot but with a son, would see her status change once the Crown Prince ascended. Riding on her son’s coattails, the Du family started to make waves.

Du Si dared not oppose the descendants of the Wen clan represented by the Crown Princess Consort, nor did he dare to show off in front of the Liu clan. However, he targeted him because he did not have a traditional scholarly background and had an honest face, along with a quite sufficient status. To Du Si, he was the perfect stepping stone.

By bullying him, Du Si seemed to find confidence and elevate his own status, which made him think Du Si was both insecure and laughable.

At this point, Du Si had no choice but to brazen it out. He was, after all, the future uncle of the Third Prince. "Mr. Zhou, you jest. What do I have to be envious of? Although the Du family isn’t wealthy, we’ve been honourable for several generations."

He highlighted the Du family’s noble character and subtly suggested that the Zhou family might not be so honourable. Who knew if Zhou family’s wealth was clean or not.

Zhou Changyi, ever direct, asked, "Are you suggesting that my father has taken bribes and embezzled funds? Is that the right way to interpret what you’re insinuating?"

There was a stunned silence all around. Du Si was dumbfounded and cursed in his heart, "No, I didn’t mean that."

He couldn’t admit it. Who didn’t know that Zhou Shuren would be the future Minister of Revenue, a trusted confidant of the Emperor, and a vital minister upon whom the Crown Prince would rely? He could bully the honest Zhou Changyi, who lacked scholarly credentials, and that would not have far-reaching consequences—it would merely be seen as Zhou Changyi being less skilled.

But he dared not to blatantly speak ill of Zhou Shuren!

Ming Hui had initially intervened, hoping to persuade his uncle to purchase the young colt, thereby giving his father an excuse to repay his uncle in Silver Coin.

Now, hearing someone speak about his grandfather, Ming Hui was displeased and retorted childishly, "Uncle, many people came to buy colts today, all here to look at them. Does buying a good horse mean they’re all embezzling?"

Changyi looked at his nephew with a mix of emotions and lifted his hand. This nephew of his was truly a revelation. Ming Hui’s sponging off his younger brother’s resources was not without merit.

Du Si, seeing the unfriendly looks from those around him, took a deep breath and resolved to not provoke Zhou Changyi again. He smiled, "I didn’t mean that. Mr. Zhou is known for his integrity, which we all admire. Brother Changyi has misunderstood me."

Zhou Changyi laughed naively, "I knew it. Mr. Du, you see things clearly. You admire my father too, don’t you?"

Du Si smiled, "Yes, I admire Mr. Zhou Shuren."

In the evening, Zhou Shuren and Zhulan returned home. They really had made a run for it, not wasting any time. Ever since the Emperor had arrived, Zhou Shuren felt anything but relaxed; he had become the dedicated Imperial chauffeur.

Zhou Shuren only learned about the incident at the horse field after getting home. Naturally, Changyi hadn’t bought the children the top-grade colt, opting for several decent ones instead.

Zhulan said, "Today’s events will definitely reach the Crown Prince’s ears."

Zhou Shuren replied, "That Du family member’s status is not going to rise any higher now."

Zhulan remarked somberly, "Lady Du has always been cautious and prudent, and just when she was about to thrive, she’s been undercut by her own teammate."

This blunder might well doom Lady Du.

Zhou Shuren chuckled, "Ming Hui is quite something. I have to say, my eldest son and his wife sure can have kids."

Zhulan laughed, "Indeed, they are truly blessed."

In truth, the eldest son and his wife weren’t so naive anymore. In a household full of cunning as foxes, they learned quite a bit. Moreover, the main house was bustling with children, which made the struggle between the eldest couple and their sons intellectually stimulating.

Inside the Palace, the Crown Prince found out about the incident later, as he was busy. Only when he was about to rest did he hear of it. The Crown Prince’s eyes showed a dark, unclear expression; he had issues with all his wives and concubines who bore him sons.

Originally, it was thought that Lady Du, who had always been the quietest, was now increasingly displeased, standing up to take a list that had been drawn up early on. The Crown Prince picked up a pen and directly changed it.

The Crown Prince looked toward the Ran family, who had only one daughter and had always been peaceful, and after some thought, decided not to make changes.

The Crown Prince put down the pen. In the past few years, since the birth of his legitimate second son, no children had been born in his harem. This was intentional, due to hidden dangers, he felt it was inappropriate to continue having children.

Thus, in the Crown Prince’s residence, he currently had only four sons and one daughter. The Crown Princess Consort accounted for both the legitimate eldest and second sons, with the legitimate second son being the youngest.

The son of Consort Lau was ranked second, and Lady Du’s son was a year older than the legitimate second son, ranked third.

The Crown Prince thought of his legitimate eldest son and sighed, as his situation was different from that of his own first son.

At the Crown Prince’s manor, the Empress handed tea to the Emperor, "Shall we also return to the capital?"

The Emperor took the tea. He, too, was tired today and shook his head with a smile, "No, let’s stay a few more days."

The Emperor knew that Zhou Shuren had run away. If he had intended to stop him, Zhou Shuren wouldn’t have been able to return to the capital. He found it quite amusing to watch the old fox panic and flee.

The Emperor indeed enjoyed life with the Empress alone and had no wish to return to the Palace.

However, the Empress wanted to go back to the Palace. There would be plenty of time for them to live together in the future, and she was not in a rush, "I miss my granddaughter."

The Emperor knew the granddaughter the Empress was referring to was Lin Xi. "When the Crown Prince ascends the throne, Zhenyue will become a princess, even if she is not born legitimately."

Even though Lin Xi was Prince Qin’s Eldest Daughter, Zhenyue was still a princess.

The Empress had also raised Zhenyue, but human hearts can be biased. Although Zhenyue was the sole daughter of her eldest son, Lin Xi gained superiority later. In the eyes of the Empress, only her legitimate granddaughter mattered, "The future will not lack princesses."

Should her eldest son ascend the throne, she was certain that his daughters would not be few.

If the Empress did not know that having the title of princess meant carrying responsibilities and attention, and that though a princess is noble and a model for the royal family, she would have to live under scrutiny and not be free her entire life, she would have wished to bestow Lin Xi the status of a princess.

It was precisely because of her rationality that she was aware; if she wanted her granddaughter to live a life of freedom and carefreeness, she could not accept the status of a princess.

The next day, Zhou Shuren and his wife, even with timely massages, were still very tired. The couple leaned crookedly on the lounge chairs in the courtyard, one fat, one thin, a contrast that had not been so distinct before but was now increasingly stark.

Chang Zhong entered the courtyard and immediately saw this scene. He raised his hand and couldn’t help but touch his own belly, which was always plump, "Mother, Father."

Indeed, he called out to mother first, then father because in Chang Zhong’s heart, father always listened to mother.

Zhulan asked, "Why didn’t you go to the Wu residence?"

Chang Zhong replied, "Yesterday, I sent a message to the Wu residence. Eldest Brother Wu has been quite busy lately and told me to study at home by myself."

Zhou Shuren stroked his beard. Wu Ming had indeed been busy recently and then asked, "What brings you here?"

Chang Zhong’s eyes shone bright as he looked at his mother, "Mother, Ming Hui got a little pony, and I want one too."

Zhulan thought it was something trivial, "Let your father accompany you to buy one."

Zhou Shuren did not want to move, but unfortunately, his wife had already waved her hand. Once the father and son left the house and got on the carriage, Chang Zhong hesitated several times, wanting to speak.

Zhou Shuren could not stand it anymore, "What do you really want to say?"